Battery connector



June 17, 1947. I J W E 2,422,380

' I BATTERY CONNECT-OR I Filed June 18, 1945 2 uii /A A TTOENEY.

Patented June 17, 1947 2,422,380 BATTERY CONNECTOR Jack P. Whitaker, Kansas City,

Whitaker Cable Corporation,

Mo., assignor to North Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application June 18, 1945, Serial No. 600,152 Claims. (o1. its- 259) This invention relates to electric current conductors of the character usually employed to interconnect storage batteries and of the type having a sharpened pin to pierce the metal posts of the said batteries.

The primary aim of this invention is to provide a battery connector of the afore-mentioned type wherein the sharpened pin is especially mounted in a molded body with the conductor joined directly thereto in a novel and unique manner insuring the continued and rough use of the connector assembly without accidentally disconnectin the said conductor and pin and in some instances rendering more secure the joint between the pin and conductor.

Minor objects of the invention will appear during the course of the following specification referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a battery connector made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central sectional view through the connector shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the upper portion of the pin forming a part of a connector made in accordance with the modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating the manner of joining the conductor to the bifurcated pin.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the body of i the connector with that form of pin and conductor illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 in the operative position, and

Fig. '7 is a central sectional view through a battery connector illustrating a pin and conductor connection of a form that embodies a still further modification of my invention.

Connectors of the type having sharpened pins and molded bodies have heretofore been employed with the result that the connection between the conductor and said pin becomes loosened through long and continued hard use. The

manner of joining a length of wire or conducting material Ill to the pointed pin I2 has heretofore been unsatisfactory and susceptible to parting durin use. When the battery connector assembly is moved to place and pin I2 is forced into the post of a battery, not here shown, body It is customarily struck by a hammer to drive pin I2 securely into its operative position. Such blows often times jar the connection between conductor I0 and pin I2 to a point where current will not fiow, oxidation occurs and the connector is thereby rendered useless.

In producing the connector embodying the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, pin I2 is flattened to form a head I6 at one end and conductor I0 is rebent upon itself and flataround head I6 of pin from a portion of conductor tened by spreading the strands thereof. The hook "I8 so formed on the end of conductor I0 is caused to embrace head I6 whereupon a spot weld 25 is used to affik conductor ID to head I6. After such step is taken, molded body I4 is cast I2 to maintain hook I8 in place. A striking face 22 forms a part of body It and after the operator has pressed pin I2 into the battery post as far as possible through the employment of his hands, a hammer or other instrument is brought into play and surface 22 is struck to tighten the pin and to insure a good electrical connection.

Conductor I0 is provided with conventional insulation 24 and before the conductor II] is shaped to form hook It, the insulation 24 is removed It at the end thereof. Body I l embraces a short length of insulation 24, as clearly shown in Figs. ,2 and 3, and therefore, a relatively rigid assembly comprising pin conductor It, body I4 and insulation 24, is the result.

The striking of body I4 often times proves detrimental to the assembly and it is desired to employ the force applied by tools or the like, to strengthen the bond between conductor II) and pin I2 rather than loosen the same. The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is therefore, advantageous in employing the force exerted upon striking face 50 of body 52. Pin 54 is bifurcated or slotted longitudinally as at 56 to present a pair of fingers 58, one of which is extended into a cap 60, the free end whereof ,is

flanged as at 62 to engage the inclined surface 64 of one of fingers 53. When cap 60 is formed as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, its upper surface is adjacent to striking face 50 on body 52. One end of conductor 66 is rebent upon itself to form a hook which embraces one of fingers 58 and its bight lies in slot 56 between fingers 58. When flange 62 of cap 60 rides along inclined face 64 of finger 58, the hooked portion of conductor 68 is clamped tightly in slot 56.

When the assembly is originally produced in the factory, the material from which body 52 is cast will fiow into slot 56 to hold conductor in place, but as body 52 becomes deformed, due to use, the cap 50 will progressively tighten finger 58.

In Fig. 7, the battery connector assembly illustrated comprises a conductor Hill having insulation 102 and a hook portion I04. Pin I06 has a head I08 provided thereon, which head is bifurcated to present fingers H0 between which slot H2 is disposed. Cap H4 is flanged to present a cup-shaped body into which fingers III) project. The inclined sides IIB of fingers IIt engage the flange of cap I I4 to the end that blows received by striking face II8, may be transmitted to fingers III) to draw the same together as the device is used. Thus hook I08 will be more tightly engaged and when body I2!) is deformed, the connection between conductor I and pin I06 will not be threatened.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A battery connector of the type set forth comprising a sharpened pin having a head formed thereon at one end; a conductor rebent upon itself at one end thereof to form a hook for embracing the head; and a molded body of lead cast around the head of the pin and the hook on the conductor, said head being bifurcated and provided with means for closing the bifurcation as force is applied thereto during the driving of the pin into 'o'perativeposition in a battery post or the'like, the hook of the conductor being threaded 'through'the bifurcation to be clamp-ed thereby as the bifuroation'is closed.

2. A battery connector of the type set forth comprising a, sharpened pin having a head formed thereon at one end; a conductor rebent upon itself at one end thereof to form a hook for embracing the'head; and a molded body of lead cast around the head of the pin and the hook on the conductor, said head being split longitudinally to present a pair of fingers, the hooked portion of the conductor being confined within the-split and embracing one of the fingers, said head having a cap bverlying the upper end thereof and adjace'iit tdth'e upper end of the molded body, the

said cap and 'thehead being formed to'draw the fingers together as] force isapplied to the cap.

'31 A: battery connector of the type set forth comprising a sharpened pin having a head formed thereon. at one end; a conductor rebent upon itself at one end thereof to form a hook for embracing the head; and a molded body of lead cast arena the headof'the pin and the hook on the conductor, said head being split longitudinally to'pres'ent a pair of fingers, the hooked portion ofthe conductor being confined within the split and embracing one of the fingers, said head having a cap overlying the upper end thereof and adjacenttofthe "upper end of the molded body, the said cap and the head being formed to draw the fingers together as force is applied to the cap, the said body having a striking face providedthereon adjacent to the said cap.

4. A battery connector of the type set forth comprising a, sharpened pin havinga head formed bracing the head; and a molded body the conductor, said head being split longitudinally to present a pair of fingers, the hooked port-ion of the conductor being confined within the split and embracing one of the fingers, said head having a cap overlying the upper end thereof and adjacent to the upper end of the molded body, the said cap and the head being formed to draw the fingers together as force is applied to the cap, one of said fingers being extended to form said cap and having a flange portion thereon engageable with the other finger.

5 A battery connector-oi the type set forth comprising a sharpened pin having a head formed thereon at one end; a conductor rebent upon itself at one end thereof to form a hook for embracing the head; and a molded body of lead cast around the head of the pin and the hook on the cone ductor, said head being split longitudinally to present a pair of fingers, the hooked portion of the conductor being confined within the split and embracing one of the fingers, said head having a cap overlying the upper end thereof andadiacent to. the upper end of the. molded body, the said cap and the head being formed to draw the fingers together as force is applied to the cap, the outermost faces of said fingers converging as the free ends thereof are approached, saidcap being a cup=shaped member disposed in encircling relation with said fingers. V

JACK P. WHITAKER.

CITED,

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

N TED S ATES PATEN S Date Gibbs Apr, 7, i942- 

